Merger of Unique Competencies Builds Continental Teves' Position
12 February 1999
Merger of Unique Competencies Builds Continental Teves' Position and Expertise as a Leading Systems Supplier
Innovative Technologies, Technical Solutions and Partnership Philosophy Make
Continental Teves a Trusted Partner of the Global Automotive Industry
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 11 -- Development of innovative
automotive technologies and systems combined with strong global partnerships
are key elements that are driving Continental Teves' success as one of the
world's leading automotive systems suppliers.
By delivering quality products and performance, Continental Teves
continues to expand on its 90-year heritage of providing system solutions to
an extremely competitive marketplace. To meet the needs of a steadily growing
and increasingly high-tech industry, Continental Teves' international network
of engineering, manufacturing and program management resources work in direct
partnership with the world's vehicle manufacturers.
"Suppliers who succeed in the new millennium will be those with resources
focused to deliver on commitments, provide total system solutions, foster
innovation and drive value for the customer on a global scale," said Bill
Kozyra, President, Continental Teves, N.A. "Our history has led us to become
a truly multi-cultural company with worldwide reach, something that has given
Continental Teves a distinct advantage in sharing our knowledge and expertise
with automakers looking to expand their global markets."
Continental Teves supplies automotive components, modules and systems to
virtually all of the world's major vehicle manufacturers from 16 facilities
located on four continents. The company has engineering development centers
in Frankfurt and Detroit, along with two state-of-the-art, complete vehicle
development/test centers located in Michigan and Sweden. The company's
emergence in the global marketplace has opened up new market potentials,
fueled growth and strengthened its position as a leading systems supplier.
As one of the world's biggest suppliers of brake systems and components,
Continental Teves maintains the number one position in the disc brake market
worldwide, while occupying second place in both anti-lock brake systems and
brake boosters. A unique combination of tire and brake/chassis competencies
has provided Continental Teves the components to develop complete electronic
chassis systems, unlike any other auto systems supplier.
"Our role in complete systems development illustrates the strategic role
that suppliers have assumed as partners with the automakers," said Kozyra.
"Now, as part of Continental AG, the world's fourth-largest manufacturer of
tires, we see ourselves uniquely positioned to bring stability vehicle
management and road-holding technology full-circle for our customers."
Acting as a link between the road and the vehicle chassis, Continental
Teves engineers envision the tire as a key contributor of information for
today's growing number of electronic chassis management systems including
anti-lock brakes, traction control systems, and newer Electronic Stability
Programs (ESP). Using the tire not only to transmit forces, but also as an
information provider, signifies a substantial technical leap and the
opportunity to offer drivers increased safety and comfort.
The company's pioneering efforts in both brake and chassis and tire
technology is expected speed up introduction of the "intelligent tire". The
tire with sensor functions will become an integral component of chassis
control systems. Additionally, Continental Teves engineers foresee other
advances from the marriage of brake and chassis technologies with that of an
intelligent tire, concentrating the synergies from the tire technology,
vibration engineering, acoustics, electronic control and other sensor
activities.
"The challenge is to translate leading-edge technologies as quickly as
possible from our labs into vehicles around the world. Delivering great
products with superior value is the key to customer satisfaction and to
enhancing our partnership role with global automakers," said Kozyra.
In an effort to teach consumers about automotive safety technologies
Continental Teves developed the national safe driving initiative Drive Safer
America!, which is designed to educate consumers about the benefits of safe
driving year round and the proper use of four-wheel anti-lock brakes and other
safety technologies.
Continental Teves, headquartered in Frankfurt/Main Germany, is the largest
operating unit of Continental AG, Hannover, Germany. With 1998 sales of US
$2.3 billion, Continental Teves is one of the largest independent suppliers of
total brake and chassis systems and components to major automobile
manufacturers worldwide. The company's North American headquarters is located
in Auburn Hills, Mich.